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Shipping Faster, Loading Faster: How I Expanded the Portfolio and Improved Mobile Performance

Nicolas BrulayFebruary 27, 20267 min read
Portfolio case study pages showing project galleries and navigation

Six New Stories: Why I Expanded the Portfolio Beyond Just Screenshots

Yesterday I launched six detailed portfolio case studies that tell the full story behind each project. Here's why I moved beyond simple screenshots and what this means for anyone looking to work together.


The problem with "just screenshots"

For months, my portfolio was essentially a gallery. Nice images, short descriptions, but not much depth. If you were considering hiring me, you'd see what I built but not how I thought about it or why certain decisions mattered.

The feedback was consistent: "Great work, but I want to understand your process."

What I built instead

Portfolio pages that tell stories

Each project now has its own dedicated page with:

  • The challenge: What problem needed solving?
  • The approach: How I tackled it and why
  • The results: What actually happened after launch
  • Technical highlights: Key decisions that made the difference

Six case studies are now live: Blightfell (a game dev platform), Jorild.se (personal portfolio), Skyscraper (performance-focused site), Chronomation (automation platform), The Builder Coil (this very site), and Shipping API Dojo (API documentation platform).

A better reading experience

I created a consistent layout that makes it easy to scan:

  • Hero section that immediately tells you what the project is about
  • Sidebar navigation so you can jump to what matters most
  • Image galleries that show the work in action, not just final screenshots
  • Related projects so you can see how different work connects

Making it mobile-friendly

More people browse on phones than desktops, so I made sure:

  • Text is readable without pinching and zooming
  • Images load quickly and look sharp on all screens
  • Navigation works smoothly with touch gestures
  • Pages feel fast and responsive

Why this matters for potential clients

When you're evaluating someone for your project, you want to understand their thinking. These new portfolio pages show:

  • Problem-solving approach: How do I break down complex challenges?
  • Technical judgment: What trade-offs do I consider and why?
  • Real-world impact: What happened after the work was delivered?

The results so far

  • Richer storytelling: Each project now has context, not just pretty pictures
  • Better mobile experience: Pages load quickly and are easy to navigate on any device
  • Clearer value proposition: You can see exactly how I approach different types of challenges

What's coming next

  • Replace some placeholder images with final project screenshots
  • Add more case studies as new projects launch
  • Continue refining the storytelling based on what visitors find most helpful

See for yourself

  • Portfolio overview: /portfolio
  • Individual case studies: Click "View Case Study" on any project

Built with care for anyone who wants to understand not just what I build, but how I think about building it.

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